Education Specialist

 The Cottonwood School offers dynamic homeschooling pathways for TK-12: a uniquely personalized, whole-learner approach that nurtures academic, social, and emotional achievement. The Cottonwood school is a tuition-free, public charter school serving transitional kindergarten through 12th-grade students in Alpine, Amador, El Dorado, Placer, and Sacramento Counties. We take an integrative approach that education is more than academic learning. We understand that a rich education includes social and emotional development as well as a strong academic foundation. 

Our Homestudy Pathway fosters holistic learning through the many activities and events we offer each month—field trips, workshops, hands-on, experiential activities.

Our Cottonwood College Prep Academy is a hybrid on-site High School Pathway that offers Montessori-inspired project-based learning that encourages collaboration and creativity.

At The Cottonwood School, we envision a world where students flourish, communities thrive, and staff are fulfilled. 

Application Deadline: Until Filled

Start Date: December 1, 2025

Vacancies: 1

Employment Type: Full-Time

Direct Supervisor: Associate Director of Special Education

Salary Schedule: Schedule B 

Work Calendar: 190

Classification: Certificated

FLSA Status: Exempt

Location: This position is expected to work on-site at our El Dorado Hills school office 5 days a

week. This position is not eligible for telecommuting.

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Associate Director of Special Education, the Education Specialist will provide instruction, assessment, and program planning for special education students with identified special educational needs. The fundamental purpose of this position is to adapt the content, methodology, and delivery of instruction to meet the needs of an eligible child and ensure the student's access to the general curriculum and rigorous educational standards adopted by the School and the State.

Required Qualifications

? Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university

? Valid California Education Specialist Instruction Credential - Mild/Moderate or Moderate/Severe with English Learner (EL) Authorization

? Current CPR/First Aid Certification

? Must live in Northern California and be able to commute to El Dorado Hills and counties The Cottonwood School serves

Preferred Qualifications

? Experience working at an independent study charter school

? Bridge Authorization

Employment Requirements

? AB 2534 Verification

? Background Clearance

? Tuberculosis Clearance

? I-9 Verification

Duties and Responsibilities ? Work collaboratively with all members of the IEP team to coordinate the development and implementation of students' IEPs using the Special Education Information System (SEIS) program. E

? Perform initial, triennial, and informal assessments in order to identify student needs. E

? Schedule and prepare all materials for IEP meetings. E

? Consult and collaborate with parents, staff, and service providers to ensure appropriate delivery of special education services. E

? Establish and effectively articulate goals for student learning. E

? Maintain special education records to meet compliance guidelines. E

? Provide students with specialized academic instruction for the purpose of meeting their unique needs. E

? Adapt curriculum content and/or pedagogy to support students' understanding of subject matter. E

? Utilize assessment results for the purpose of providing educational benefits to students. E

? Provides specialized academic instruction. E

? Instruct students to ensure successful progress toward their IEP goals. E

? Communicate with teachers, psychologists, specialists, and others for the purpose of monitoring student progress. E

? Provide timely feedback to students, parents, and general education teachers based on data for the purpose of coordinating services to individual students. E

? Provide consultation regarding students on 504 plans and those served by academic skills intervention programs. E

? Use behavior management techniques to achieve a functional learning environment. E

? Participates in appropriate professional development activities related to the educational programs of the School.

? Serve on school committees, participate in school and community activities, and represent the school as appropriate.

Other Duties

? Respond to non-urgent communication within 24 school hours and urgent communication within two school hours

? Attend all required in-person meetings/events as assigned.

? Resolve escalated employee, parent, and student issues in alignment with core values and ensuring compliance with the school's Uniform Complaint Policy; the school's Uniform Technology Policy; and the provisions of California Penal Code Section 11166

(Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act)

? Perform other duties as assigned

Required Skills/Abilities

? Knowledge of various learning modalities and educational philosophies

? Knowledge of effective strategies, curriculum, and instruction to support students

? Ability to use assessment data to guide instruction, support student learning and achievement, and implement standards-based curriculum and instruction.

? Ability to evaluate the effectiveness of curriculum and educational programs

? Professional oral and written communication skills in English, including academic report writing

? Proficiency in operating standard office equipment including a variety of software applications including, but not limited to Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint), Google (docs, sheets, forms, drives), and virtual meeting platforms (Zoom,

Google Chat, etc.)

? Ability to organize, prioritize, work under time constraints, and be flexible in an environment of multiple tasks

? Excellent communication skills and the ability to work with diverse stakeholders

? Must have a high degree of professionalism, integrity, and dependability

? Maintain accurate records

? Maintain consistent, punctual, and regular attendance

Work Environment

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. These physical standards are generic and tasks may vary depending on the school site or specialized site assignment. The information contained in this physical standards description is for compliance with the Americans with Disability Act and is not an exhaustive list of duties performed. The individuals currently holding this position perform additional duties and additional duties as assigned.

Physical Demands

? Continuously - Sufficient strength, stamina (including physical, mental, and emotional), physical ability, and mobility to visually observe and assist students.

? Continuously - Sit or stand for extended periods of time.

? Occasionally - Bend at the waist, kneel, stoop, squat, reach, and crouch.

? Seldom - Work variable hours

? Seldom - Lift, push, and/or pull objects weighing approximately 20 pounds.

? Occasionally - Ability to reach in all directions including overhead and horizontally.

? Continuously - Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate equipment including computer keyboard/mouse and standard office equipment necessary to do job functions.

? Continuously - Communicate effectively with students, staff, parents, and community members.

? Continuously - Comply with timelines and deadlines with frequent interruptions.

? Occasionally - Travel for department meetings and school training/in-service meetings.

? Continuously - See to operate equipment, read and understand written material, and ability to detect information displayed on a computer screen.

? Seldom - Restrain students when necessary.

Physical Demands Frequency Definitions Based on an 8-hour day:

? Never = 0%

? Seldom = 1 - 10% (less than 45 minutes)

? Occasionally = % (up to 3.0 hours)

? Frequently = % (up to 6 hours)

? Continuously = % (more than 6 hours)

Environment including Hazardous Conditions

This position may include indoor offices/classrooms and outdoor work (including eating and common area(s), auditorium, playground(s), restroom(s), stairs if applicable, and parking lot(s))  with the following possible exposures: dust; wind; sun; insects; bloodborne pathogens and biohazardous waste; variances in weather conditions (snow, rain, sleet, etc.); noise which can range from quiet to loud; fast-paced work environment with possible stressful situations and need to multitask; traffic congestion; playground projectiles such as baseballs, footballs, basketballs, etc.; intervening physically to stop conflicts between angry or emotionally upset students; and, dealing with students, parents, employees and the general public who may exhibit unpredictable or anti-social behavior.

Employees in this position may have a higher level of exposure to illness or infection from students. May be exposed to students who may ask inappropriate personal questions, display  socially unacceptable behavior, display physically aggressive behavior, and insult your personal characteristics including appearance, age, sex, and race. There is also frequent contact with

staff and the public

Right to Revise

This job description is not meant to be all-inclusive and the School reserves the right to revise this job description as necessary without advance notice. 

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they

do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer without notice.

E = Essential Job Functions

Compensation & Benefits

In addition to competitive salaries, The Cottonwood School offers eligible full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package that can include: Medical, Dental, Vision coverage, Life & Disability insurnace, 403(b) and 457(b) plans(with matching available for certain classifications), an Employee Assistance Program, Flexible Spending accounts for Health care and dependent care, Paid Time Off and sick leave benefits (for certain classifications and eligible staff), pet insurance, and more

Requirements

 Required Qualifications

? Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university

? Valid California Education Specialist Instruction Credential - Mild/Moderate or Moderate/Severe with English Learner (EL) Authorization

? Current CPR/First Aid Certification

? Must live in Northern California and be able to commute to El Dorado Hills and counties The Cottonwood School serves

Preferred Qualifications

? Experience working at an independent study charter school

? Bridge Authorization

Employment Requirements

? AB 2534 Verification

? Background Clearance

? Tuberculosis Clearance

? I-9 Verification